Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 293

#292. Investing in the Future

“Looks like all that’s left is the announcement, damn it. The market seems to be going crazy.”

“I agree, boss.”

With the trade deadline approaching, front offices of each team were fiercely battling to bolster their rosters. In the Seattle GM’s office, the president and GM sat facing each other.

Leading the American League West this season, Seattle was making various attempts to strengthen the team with the support of a new ownership group.

After acquiring the trio from the Marlins, they recently gave up two promising prospects and $5 million to successfully bring in reliable starting pitcher, Hayashi Rentaro.

Just when they thought they were in a good position, unexpected news arrived.

The New York Yankees, who hadn’t won a World Series trophy since 2009, were reportedly planning a major player acquisition.

That in itself wasn’t surprising. What was truly astonishing was the name being mentioned as a target.

James Taylor, the Tampa Bay Rays’ cornerstone and a highly anticipated next-generation superstar expected to follow in the footsteps of Ty Johnson.

The All-Star third baseman, who also had a connection with Han Su-hyeok, was the main subject.

“James Taylor, James Taylor, huh. They’re not afraid of the luxury tax, I see.”

“Frankly, 21 years is a long time for the Yankees to endure. Especially considering their past.”

That was true.

Considering their history of winning championships by gathering expensive players, earning them the moniker ‘Evil Empire,’ they had been patient for the past 21 years.

With pride as the world’s most prestigious club, immense market value, and unwavering fan support,

they seemed to believe this year was the right time to win.

They were willing to give up their existing starting third baseman, two prospects, and a significant amount of cash to acquire James Taylor.

The problem wasn’t just the Yankees.

Chicago White Sox, a team that must achieve the goal of securing the second-best overall record in the American League for a direct spot in the Division Series,

were also rumored to be pursuing two major deals, making Seattle, the weakest of the three in terms of payroll, concerned.

“Alright, let’s put the other teams aside. Daniel, we need to stay on our path.”

“Of course, boss.”

“To cut to the chase, the $3 million additional budget you requested has been approved.”

“Oh…”

“Damn it, you’re just purely happy. Including the budget used to acquire Hayashi, that’s almost $10 million in additional spending this summer.”

“We have to spend this much to win the championship.”

“That’s true. But what if we fail to win after spending all this money? The aftermath will be entirely our responsibility.”

“I’ll take responsibility.”

“We have to share the responsibility. Anyway, as you know, the process of reorganizing our club’s management rights will continue. At this rate, all the minority shareholders will likely leave.”

“Will it eventually be just three groups left: Goldman Sachs, Ropels, and Nintendo?”

“I think there’s a high chance Nintendo will sell off their shares this time.”

“Hmm.”

“But the funny thing is that Ropels transferred their voting rights to the Goldman Sachs investment group. Which means…”

“A one-man dictatorship will be established. Like the Yankees.”

“That’s right, so let’s pray together. I don’t know who the investor behind Goldman Sachs is, but let’s hope they’re not an idiot or a cheapskate.”

While the story that Han Su-hyeok, the main investor behind Goldman Sachs and soon to be the largest shareholder of the Seattle Mariners, would scoff at was being exchanged, the GM brought up the main topic of the day.

“Anyway, now that the budget has been approved, I’ll proceed with the trade I reported.”

“Okay, let’s do it. We’ve come too far to turn back now. We have to win the championship no matter what. Do you understand me?”

* * *

“That’s all for the domestic professional baseball news. Now, we’ll bring you news about the Major League, specifically the American League, where Han Su-hyeok, Ryu Han-gyeol, and Lee Chan-ho are playing. Let’s connect to the field. Announcer Park Cheol-min?”

“Yes, this is announcer Park Cheol-min, reporting from the United States.”

“For our viewers, please start with the news from today’s Seattle game and then give us the latest updates on the American League.”

“Of course. First, in the game that just ended against the Miami Marlins, Seattle won with a score of 3 to 1, continuing their winning streak.”

“Today was Han Su-hyeok’s pitching game, right? How were his pitching results?”

“He pitched very well, allowing only 1 run in 7 and 2/3 innings. As those who watched the broadcast know, he could have pitched a little longer. However, manager Benjamin made the substitution from a long-term perspective.”

“I see. How was he at the plate?”

“He didn’t hit his 49th home run due to the pitchers’ pickoff attempts. He recorded 1 walk, 1 hit, and 1 RBI [Runs Batted In]. He also scored the winning run in the top of the 9th when Josh Oliver hit the game-winning hit.”

“Thank you. There have been continuous reports of major trades in the American League these days. The most notable is the rumor of James Taylor’s transfer to the Yankees. What’s the atmosphere like locally?”

“Yes, as everyone knows, Tampa Bay has essentially given up on this season and declared a rebuild. Therefore, the future of third baseman James Taylor, who will soon be eligible for free agency, has inevitably become a focus of attention. In conclusion, local sources predict that a trade between the Yankees and Tampa Bay, centered around James Taylor, will be announced soon.”

“Whew, considering that the New York Yankees’ only weakness was said to be the third base position… If James Taylor joins, they will truly become a complete team, right?”

“That’s right. The reason why the Yankees put so much effort into acquiring Han Su-hyeok during the last stove league [off-season trading period] was also to fill the third base position. If James Taylor transfers to the Yankees as expected, the Evil Empire will be completed once again.”

“I see. There are also reports of trades from the Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox, who will be competing with the Yankees for the League Championship title, right?”

“Yes, the White Sox are reportedly pursuing Hamano Aki- sorry, I apologize. It’s become a habit because of commentator Go Dong-sik. I’ll correct myself. They are pursuing Hamasaki Akinori, the Japanese shortstop from Cincinnati. And Seattle is reportedly targeting Rafael Osuna, a first baseman from Tampa Bay.”

“I see. Thank you for the various news. We look forward to your broadcasts of Han Su-hyeok’s games until the end of the season. Please give our regards to commentator Go Dong-sik as well.”

“He’s right next to me right now, hehe, thank you. This has been Park Cheol-min, reporting from the United States.”

* * *

[I hate to lose. Hate, hate, hate to lose.]

I hate losing. I really hate it to death.

[Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next.]

To me, winning is the next most important thing after breathing. If I’m breathing, I have to win.

These are the words left by George Steinbrenner, who acquired the Yankees from CBS, one of the largest terrestrial broadcasting stations in the United States, in 1973 and served as the owner until his death in 2009.

Like his words, he was a businessman who was talked about for his aggressive investment style and eccentric personality, who had to do everything his way to be satisfied.

In fact, I don’t really like this guy.

What should I say, his dictatorial personality, which makes him have to do everything his way, is annoying.

The fact that I didn’t even consider the Yankees’ offer during the last stove league is partly due to that guy.

Even though he’s already passed away, the management philosophies he left behind have remained intact, turning the Yankees into a suffocating, old-fashioned club.

Regulating hairstyles and beards, and interfering in every little aspect of personal life, things like that.

Nevertheless, there is one thing I agree with in his thinking, and that is this.

I hate losing. Really, more than anything else in the world.

According to Mr. Min Tae-hyun’s explanation, I will become the largest shareholder of the Seattle Mariners around the end of this year.

After hearing that, I felt a sense of responsibility rising up, and I said that without realizing it.

‘Last time it was $5 million, this time it’s $3 million? Hmm, just tell them to use it.’

‘Understood. Then, we’ll process it as a loan first…’

‘They won’t understand anyway. Just take care of it.’

Even if I can’t spend money like those crazy Yankees, I still have to make investments to win.

Ignoring the few guys who are holding onto their small shares and constantly nitpicking, I just proceeded with the investment using my personal money.

$8 million is a large sum of money, equivalent to half of the Warriors club’s annual operating expenses.

It stings a bit to spend that much money on acquiring one pitcher and one hitter,

But it’s okay.

If we win the championship with that, it will come back with an even bigger reward.

With this, one more reason to win the championship has been added.

Anyway,

A new teammate came to the Seattle locker room before the third game against the Marlins.

Rafael Osuna, who packed his bags and flew straight from Tampa Bay this morning, is the main character.

“Oh! This is the Mariners’ locker room! Great, it’s full of the intense smell of victory, aiming for the World Series summit.”

“No matter how much you smell it, you’ll only smell sweat.”

“Haha, no, friend. I can feel it, this smell of burning passion.”

He keeps saying he smells something since a while ago, but I don’t know.

Seattle has overwhelmingly fewer players who speak Spanish compared to other teams.

Is that why this guy who joined the team today keeps following me around? I don’t use Spanish well, so all I can think of are swear words.

With James Taylor’s transfer to the Yankees almost a foregone conclusion,

we couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

The weakest part of the current team is undoubtedly the middle relief pitching.

But it’s such a mess that it’s hard to touch, so the front office has decided to strengthen the starting lineup and play starting baseball [focus on strong starting pitchers].

Well, with the acquisition of Hayashi, Dalvin Schwartz has also moved to the bullpen, so the relief pitching has also been strengthened a bit.

Anyway, the next lacking parts are the second base and shortstop positions.

The offensive power of the keystone combo [second base and shortstop pairing] is too weak compared to the starters of other teams.

The most desirable thing is to bring in a second baseman or shortstop with offense, defense, and speed, but…

It’s expensive. Seattle’s market size is too different from the Yankees, and to bring in such a player, we might have to pull out even the foundation.

So, the alternative that was decided on is that.

Rafael Osuna, who was brought in with a decent rookie and a large sum of $3 million, was originally the starting first baseman for Tampa Bay.

With decent contact and top-notch slugging ability.

Daniel, the GM, judged that it would be difficult to acquire an A-class second baseman or shortstop, so he rotated the existing infield resources in a platoon system [rotating players based on matchups] and looked for a player to use as a pinch hitter in between, and Rafael Osuna was chosen as the right person.

In the future, he will be the team’s right-handed specialist pinch hitter and the starting first baseman in Ty Johnson’s absence.

“Oh! You’re Tony! Great, there’s a hometown friend here too.”

“Um, nice to meet you.”

“Great, shall we have a drink after the game today? I’ll find a good place.”

However… we’ll have to watch a little more to see how his unique, lively South American personality, which is completely different from our existing players, will work,

Well, he’ll do well on his own.

Even though he looks like that, he was the central hitter who led Tampa Bay alone before the regression.

Knowing the future in this way, I think I can be a good investor.

But why does Mr. Min Tae-hyun get so upset and stop me whenever I bring up investment talks?

The Genius Pitcher Hides 170km